Ushaka Marine World in Durban will be temporarily closed from today due to a pay dispute between the theme park and the union representing its workers.
Theme park workers have issued a strike notice to management after wage negotiations reached an impasse.
Ushaka Marine World, one of the organizations owned by eThekwini City, has been negotiating salary increases with the South African Municipal Workers Union, which represents its employees, for the past few months.
Ushaka CEO Ndbo Khoza said on Friday that despite the employer's best efforts, the parties were unable to reach an agreement and the matter had been referred to the Conciliation, Conciliation and Arbitration Commission for intervention. He said the matter had been referred to the council.
“The union has therefore chosen to exercise its constitutional rights under the Labor Relations Act by declaring industrial action in the form of a strike and picketing outside the park grounds,” Khoza said. Stated.
On Friday, the union gave employers 48 hours' notice to strike.
“Ushaka Marine World respects the constitutional right of its employees to strike as it deems appropriate under the circumstances. Employees also exercise their rights peacefully in accordance with the law and do not participate in industrial action. We are expected to respect employees who choose to do so,” Khoza said.
Koza said city officials apologized for the inconvenience and added that updates would be provided.
“Our entity is committed to delivering. [a] We aim to provide a quality guest experience and the commencement of industrial action will impact our ability to deliver on this promise. Based on this, the entity has considered the business risks and has resolved to close the park to the public from today while the industrial action is being dealt with. ”